Ash sifter



March 13, I928. 1,662,606

J. F. HARGADON ASH SIFTER Filed Nov. '7. 1927 -IHIIIII a1 0 22 54 5a INVENTOR.

1 JohnEHaryadon Patented Mar. 7 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN F. HARGADON, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

as SIFTER.

Application filed November 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,506.

(lust while sifting the same from un urnt coal to prevent escapement of such ash dust into the atmosphere.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an ash sifter comprising sectlons which are adapted to be moved relative to each other foragitating mixtures of unburnt coal and ash dust thereln.

A. still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described comprising a slidably mounted [frame adapted tov be moved relative to a stationary section and operatively connected with an actuating lever by means of .which the slidable section maybe reciprocated. i i A further object of my invention is the provision of a sifter com rising spraying apparatus and a movable sifter'segfion'which are operatively connected together and adapted to be simultaneously actuated.

Other objects will appear hereinafter the novel features and combinations being more clearly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings! Fig. 1 is a top plan view-of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional 'view'taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a latter end mem: ber of a sifter frame and the numerals 11 and 12 designate spaced. apart longitudinal side members; Ahandle 13 is extended outwardly from the end member 10. A plurality of spaced apart rods 14 extend longitudinally of the frame and are attached at their inner endsto the end member 10 by being secured in sockets. therein. A transverse rod 15 is disposed across the front end of the frame and is disposed under alternate rods 14. The transverse rod 15 is secured. at its extremities in a ertures in the side members 11 and 12. It s iould be understood that the rods 14 of the upper half of the frame, as viewed in Fig. 1, are s aced at closer intervals than the rods oft e lower half of the frame. This arrangement permits the sifting operation to be conducted so as to retain only larger particles when the device is suitably. tilted and to retain smaller articles when the frame is oppositely ti ted. It should be understood that the frame bars 14 preferably comprise metal and that the handle 13 may be constructed of wood if desired to prevent burning of the operators hand in the event that the material being sifted is hot. i The forward ends of the side members 11 and 12 are beveled to permit free and easy insertion of the device into a pile or container filled with ashes. The device above described may be conveniently inserted into an ash pail of a stove or furnace and the materialtherein may be sifted by suitably shaking the sifter for removing ash dust from unburnt coal.

In order to prevent clouds of dust from, being unsettled into the atmosphere, a

sprayer vcomprising a rubber bulb 16. and a nozzle 17, is provided' The nozzle 17 is mounted on the end member 10 by a bracket 18, it being understood that by. applying "pressure on the bulb-16 a spray of water may be injected over the ash in the device for dampening the dust thereof. The bulb 16 mavbe conveniently removed from the nozzle 17 and refilled when empty.

"In the modified form of my lnvention illustrated in Figs. 3' and 1, the frame comprising end member 10 and side members 11 and 12' is constructed as above described,

but the inner sides of the side members 11' and 12 are provided with dove tailed grooves. A sliglably mounted frame comprising sides 19 and 20 is disposed within the first mentioned frame above the rods 14? thereof and is provided with transverse rods 21 mounted at their extremities in aperturesin the sides 19 and 20. The sides 19'and 20 are joined at their outer ends by an end cross member 22, substantially parallel to the end member 10; it being "understood I that the abbve described construction is such as will permit the inner frame to slide longitudinally of the outer frame.

An angular lever 23 is pivotally attached to the handle 13' and comprises a lever arm 24 having a slot 25 therein. The lever arm 24 is operatively connected with the end cross member 22 of the inner frame by a link 26 pivotally attached to the member 22 as at 27. A spring 28 is disposed adjacent the inner side of the angular lever 23 and extends between the forked intermediate extremity thereof. The spring 28 is secured adjacent the edge of the end member 10 of the outer frame as at 29.

\Vhen the lever 23 is rotated in the direction of the handle 13 against the action of the spring 28, the inner frame is moved outwardly and when the lever 23 is released the spring 28 moves it to its normal osition illustrated in Fig. 3 and the inner rame is retracted to the position shown in Fig. 3. It should be understood that the passage of the transverse bars 21 of the inner frame over the longitudinal bars 14' of the outer frame results in an agitation of ashes disposed within the two frames and causes the separation of the ash dust from the unburnt coal and large elinkers.

Spraying apparatus comprising a water reservoir 30 is mounted on the upper side of the end member 10' of the outer frame and is communicatively connected b a conduit 31 with a cylinder 32 IIlOllIltQt on the end member 10'. The cylinder 32 is communicatively connected by a conduit 33 with a nozzle 34 which is also mounted on the end member 10 and which is adapted to spray water over the contents of the two frames.

A. iston 35 is slidably mounted in the cylindbr 32 and is operatively connected with the end member 22 of the inner frame by a piston rod 36. It should be understood that a one way valve 37 disposed in the conduit 31 is adapted to permit flow of water from the container 30 to the cylinder 32 when the piston 35 is moved forward] together with the inner frame and that t 1e conduit 33 is provided with a one way valve 38 which is adapted to permit water to flow from the cylinder 32 to the nozzle 34 when the piston 35 is moved downwardly together with the inner frame to which it is operatively connected.

It should be understood that the above described construction all'ords simultaneous operation of the inner frame and of the spray apparatus by manipulation of the lever 23 which may be conveniently gripped. The spring 28 need not necessarily be relied upon to move the inner frame and the piston downwardly if it is desired to employ both hands, one on the handle 13' and one on the lever 23, for actuating the device.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of )tll't-H without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims hereto appended.

Having thus fully shown and described an embodiment of my invention what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An ash sifter of the class described comprising a transverse end member, longitudinally extended spaced apart side members on said end member tapered forward end portion on said side members, and adjacent series of spaced apart rods extending forwardly from said end member, the rods of one of said series being in closer together than the rods of the other series.

2. An ash sifter of the class described comprising a transverse end member, longitudinally extended spaced apart side members on said end member, tapered forward end portion on said side members, adjacent series of spaced apart rods extending forwardly from said end member, the rods of one of said series being in closer together than the rods of the other series and a transverse rod disposed between said side members and engaged below adjacent rods of said two series for supporting the forward end portion thereof.

In testimony whereof I have atlixcd my signature.

JOHN F. HARGADON. 

